Sunderland midfielder Lynden Gooch has made nine appearances for the club in the Championship this season.
Gooch has made 12 first-team appearances for Sunderland so far this term, and the 21-year-old seems to be establishing himself a member of Grayson’s starting line-up.
Gooch has started two of Sunderland’s last three matches, and Grayson is already encouraging the American to stick at the Stadium of Light.
“We will have competition for places and different types of players, so it’s up to them younger players that if they do get the opportunity they have to take it – like Lynden Gooch who has done well when he has been involved,” Grayson said.
“He’s got a desire and a hunger to stake a claim and make a living in the game – why not try and do that in a big club like ours?”
If Gooch continues to impress Sunderland are sure to have to fend off interest in such a talented youngster.
And unless the Black Cats begin to climb the Championship table, their bargaining position to keep the attacking midfielder could be weakened.
Gooch has scored once and claimed two assists in his first nine league appearances this season, and he helped Sunderland pick up a 1-1 draw with Preston North End last night.
Sunderland are next in action after the international break, when they take on Queens Park Rangers.
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